When the debate was resumed on Saturday M. Sarmut, for
France, argued that countries not represented at Washington —he referred to Germany—would not be bound by any agree. ment prohibiting submarines. Mr. Balfour, in reply, reminded him that France was said to be threatened by land, and that Germany was forbidden by the Peace Treaty to possess sub- marines. If Germany was going to break the Treaty. and build a large submarine fleet, how could France protect herself
without calling upon us to help her with our auxiliaries ? The idea of France building a submarine fleet was inconsistent with
Briand's policy of large armies. A strategist would say that her submarines could- only be intended for use against Great Britain. Mr. Balfour expressed the hope that all nations would express their disapproval of the use of the submarine. Mr. Hughes then announced that America would reduce the proposed maximum of submarine tonnage to 60,000 for America and Great Britain, while Japan, France and Italy should retain their existing flotillas.
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